Training Tips
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Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce
The fair-weather cumulus clouds of summer, such a welcome sight at the beginning of the warmer seasons, have become commonplace in your flying and dot the sky today to the horizon. But as you approach your destination, you spot larger white clouds resembling cauliflower massing in the sky. Those clouds are different, and the difference might prove to be significant. Read more...
 
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Flight Training News
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Article
The AOPA Air Safety Institute on Aug. 11 released the twenty-fifth edition of the Joseph T. Nall Report, and this momentous anniversary arrives with a welcome helping of good news: a 12-percent drop in the rate of noncommercial fixed-wing accidents in 2013, including an 18-percent decrease in the fatal accident rate. The accompanying 2014-2015 GA Accident Scorecard shows that this was not a fluke: The improvement was maintained in 2014, and 2015 numbers look promising. Read more...
Flight school students and pilots have a few more days to help shape the future of flight training by voting in the 2016 AOPA Flight Training Poll before it closes Aug. 22. The poll's feedback is valuable because it gives a voice to students and helps flight schools improve their teaching techniques. Participants are entered into a prize giveaway sponsored by Aircraft Spruce and Specialty, Jeppesen, PilotWorkshops, and Sporty's Pilot Shop. Take the poll...
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Article
The University of North Dakota has earned what its leadership believes is the first safety management system certification by a collegiate aviation program, and it only took six years to achieve. Read more...
Article
King Schools' Private Pilot Practical Test (Oral Exam & Flight Test) video course has been completely updated based on the FAA's new airman certification standards (ACS), which went into effect June 15. The ACS is an enhanced version of the long-serving FAA practical test standards, which it replaces. The company re-shot the course in HD video to provide a view into a model ACS checkride that covers every task outlined by the ACS, King Schools announced at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Read more...
Video
Redbird's Brittney Miculka heads to EAA AirVenture in Greatest Generation style, flying the Commemorative Air Force B-25 bomber Yellow Rose. She has a few things to learn before suiting up, firing up the 1,700-horsepower Wright Cyclone engines, and piloting a living piece of history to the world's greatest aviation celebration. Fly along in the conclusion of the popular online Winging It video series by Redbird Flight Simulations. Watch the video...
Article
A steady stream of pilots filled a darkened room packed wall to wall with Redbird flight simulators as two dozen hands deftly guided virtual airplanes along realistic flight paths. Twelve pairs of eyes darted across panels aglow with flight instrumentation, radio frequencies, and maps. Instructors at EAA AirVenture's popular Pilot Proficiency Center mentored their VFR and IFR students through 32 challenging scenarios. Some students sweated more than others, powering through unexpected but realistic flight emergencies. Read more...
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AOPA Live
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AOPA Live This Week
A $1,000 Piper Cherokee proves the dream of aircraft ownership doesn't always have to be out of reach. A seaplane newbie gets her feet wet in a Seabee, and finds it is the most fun you can have with wings. Also this week, a pair of bizarre-looking aircraft are ready to fly, and general aviation celebrates the safest year on record. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, August 11...
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Plane Spotter
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Jayhawk to the rescue
If you ever need to be plucked from the water, there will be no sweeter sight to behold than 11 tons of helicopter overhead, dispatched (in all weather) compliments of the U.S. Coast Guard. The workhorse aircraft for rescue missions, and others, is the Sikorsky MH-60T Jayhawk, a member of the familiar Blackhawk helicopter family. Jayhawks have been in Coast Guard service since 1990. The example shown here was painted yellow to recall a paint scheme from the 1940s, and to mark the centennial of Coast Guard aviation.
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Training Products and Resources
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Stick-on reading lenses a snap to use
Pilots who need a little help reading dials, gauges, and charts up close can adhere optically correct, removable reading lenses to a pair of glasses or sunglasses for clearer cockpit vision. The lenses can be trimmed to fit a variety of frames and are available online from Sporty's Pilot Shop in magnifications ranging from 1.25 to 3.0 for $19.95 per pair.
Video
In the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Real Pilot Story: From Miscue to Rescue, pilot Brian Brown takes you on a personal and emotional journey as he reflects on how poor decisions and a lack of preparation turned a four-hour cross-country flight into a 30-hour survival crisis for him and his family. Learn about the importance of matching expectations with experience and skill levels, and not pressing on in adverse conditions. Watch the video, made possible by AOPA Insurance Services...
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Note: Products listed have not been evaluated by ePilot editors unless otherwise noted. AOPA assumes no responsibility for products or services listed or for claims or actions by manufacturers or vendors.
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Member Benefits
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Member benefit
AOPA member Greg Smith turned to AOPA Insurance Services for renter's insurance after witnessing an incident at his home airport and realizing he needed more insurance than his flight school carried. Read more...
Pilot Protection Services
While the clock is already running on the FAA's deadline to implement third class medical reform, you can't take advantage of the new law to fly without a third class medical certificate just yet. Read more...
AOPA Aviation Finance
Ready to buy a used turbine-powered airplane? Both you and the lender will need an appraisal. There are three main paths the appraisal process can take. Read more...
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Blogs
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Hover Power blogger Maria Langer offers an inside look at a unique commercial helicopter operation: drying cherries. Read more...
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Final Exam
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Question
A friend asked recently if I wanted to fly in formation with him sometime. Is that legal? If so, what should we think about before doing it?
Answer
Yes, it is legal. However, you should discuss and plan the formation flight thoroughly before attempting it. See 14 CFR 91.111, which states that you cannot "operate an aircraft so close to another aircraft as to create a collision hazard," "operate an aircraft in formation flight except by arrangement with the pilot in command of each aircraft in the formation," or "operate an aircraft, carrying passengers for hire, in formation flight." You also might consider obtaining training from an experienced formation pilot at your airport. To learn more about this topic, read this accident report from the AOPA Air Safety Institute.
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Did you know that student pilots who join AOPA are three times more likely to complete their flight training? Membership includes unlimited access to aviation information by phone (800/USA-AOPA, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time) or from AOPA Online. Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.
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Career Opportunities
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AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for an account executive, advertising-marketing coordinator, member services representative, Central Southwest regional manager, graphic designer, administrative coordinator, New York You Can Fly ambassador, aviation technical specialist, fundraising specialist, government affairs federal and state vice president, Great Lakes regional manager, communications director, donor relations director, and AOPA Foundation communications director. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.
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 Education and Seminars
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Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
Aug 20-21 - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; and Reno, Nevada
Sep 10-11 - Elkridge, Maryland
Sep 17-18 - Phoenix, Arizona; and Sandston, Virginia
Sep 24-25 - Colorado Springs, Colorado
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's Online eFIRC.
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Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars
Aug 20 - Bremerton, Washington; and Clayton, Georgia
Aug 24 - Frederick, Maryland
Sep 6 - Wichita, Kansas; Madison, Wisconsin; and Seattle, Washington
Sep 7 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Portland, Oregon
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilots Seminars
Aug 13 - Fort Worth, Texas
Aug 20 - Bremerton, Washington; Hayden, Idaho; and Fullerton, California
Aug 27 - Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Naples, Florida
Aug 31 - Racine, Wisconsin
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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ePilot Flight Training Editors:
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
David Tulis
Production Assistant:
Melissa Whitehouse
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Contributors:
Mike Collins
Sarah Deener
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Alton K. Marsh
Warren Morningstar
Dan Namowitz
Jill W. Tallman
Ian J. Twombly
Julie Summers Walker
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